Dermatologists

Salary

Senior Medical Officers receive a base salary relative to their level of experience. This is agreed upon at the time of the job offer. There is a 15-step pay scale that SMOs continue to progress through on a yearly basis.

In New Zealand, the salaries and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers.

Employment agreementsexternal link

Additional allowances are paid on top of base salary and vary due to location and service, and are often not specified in the collective agreement.

Allowances

There is a range of additional allowances for:

• on-call
• evening, night and weekend work
• call back
• job size
• recruitment and retention
• special contribution.

Leave

Leave entitlements include:

• 6 weeks of paid annual leave
• a minimum of 10 days of sick leave per year
• 10 days of paid continuing medical education leave (CME), plus the ability to use annual leave tacked onto the end of your CME travel
• 6 to 12 months of parental leave, depending on the length of service, including 6 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 12 paid public holidays and time in lieu or alternative holiday if rostered on
• long service leave and sabbatical opportunities.

Additional benefits

Additional benefits include:

• an annual continuing medical education (CME) allowance of NZD $16,000 (pro-rated for part-time employees)
• membership subscriptions of medical professional bodies are reimbursed by Health NZ
• your professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ
• if eligible, up to a 6% matching superannuation contribution from Health NZ as your employer
• a relocation package for international candidates.

KiwiSaver (superannuation savings scheme)

Leadership and career development opportunities

Health NZ encourages Senior Medical Officers to be involved in the design, implementation and performance of facilities and technology involved in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure an effective, efficient and safe workplace. 

Specific opportunities vary by location and service; however, they can include:  

• support and encouragement for research and publications
• mentorship opportunities for apprentice Junior Doctors/Registrars
• regional and national networks allowing for subspeciality research and practice. 
• ongoing development and support for career growth with on-the-job coaching and a variety of in-house training programmes. 

Clinical dermatological care

• Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments and skin examinations for a broad range of dermatological presentations in both acute and complex cases.
• Diagnose and treat dermatological conditions referred primarily from general practitioners, within a public hospital outpatient setting.
• Utilise appropriate diagnostic investigations, including skin biopsies and laboratory tests, in collaboration with pathologists and laboratory services.
• Provide evidence-based medical management of skin diseases, particularly in the field of medical dermatology, which is the primary focus of the role.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary care environment, contributing to integrated patient care.

Procedural dermatology

• Perform minor dermatologic surgical procedures under local anaesthesia, including diagnostic biopsies and therapeutic excisions.
• Participate in procedural dermatology or surgical lists depending on service needs and clinician interest.
• Manage postoperative care and procedural outcomes in accordance with service guidelines and best practice standards.

Professional and administrative responsibilities

• Allocate approximately 30% of role time to non-clinical duties, including service development, documentation, and engagement with quality improvement processes.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records, consistent with medical, ethical, and organisational standards.
• Participate in initiatives that support clinical governance, quality improvement, and patient safety within the service.

Cultural safety and equity

• Deliver patient care that aligns with the principles of Health New Zealand, including a commitment to equitable health outcomes and culturally safe practices.
• Acknowledge and support the specific health needs of Māori and Pacific peoples, in line with organisational expectations and public health values.

Dermatologists can follow interests, such as:

• complex medical adult and paediatric dermatology
• Mohs surgery
• dermatopathology.

Medical qualification

Hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) or an equivalent overseas qualification recognised by the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)

To practise as a Dermatologist in Aotearoa New Zealand, all candidates — whether New Zealand-trained or international — must obtain vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). Practitioners need to fulfil the requirements of the Medical Council to maintain registration in dermatology.

Annual Practising Certificate (APC)

All practising Dermatologists must hold a current APC issued by the MCNZ, which is renewed annually.

To retain your APC, you must:

• provide evidence of ongoing competence in anaesthesia
• participate in continuing professional development (CPD) activities.

Dermatologists' professional body — New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated

The New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated (NZDSI) is the professional organisation responsible for representing vocationally trained dermatologists in New Zealand, supporting high standards of clinical practice, education, and ongoing professional development in dermatology.

New Zealand Dermatological Societyexternal link

Registering to work as a Senior Medical Officer in Aotearoa New Zealand

To work as a Senior Medical Officer in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will need to obtain vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Pathways to vocational registration

Direct pathway to vocational registration

• If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) with specialist qualifications from countries with medical systems deemed equivalent to New Zealand's (such as Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada and some European countries), you may be eligible to apply directly for vocational registration without needing first to obtain general registration.
• In this pathway, MCNZ will assess your specialist qualifications, clinical experience, and the medical system where you trained. If these are deemed equivalent, you can apply directly for vocational registration in your specialty.
• This pathway allows experienced specialists to bypass general registration and the provisional general phase, which is typically required for doctors without a recognised specialist qualification.

Provisional vocational registration pathway

• If MCNZ determines that your qualifications and experience are largely equivalent but that you need some orientation or assessment within the New Zealand healthcare system, you may be granted provisional vocational registration.
• This means you will practice in your specialty under supervision for a period, typically between 6 to 12 months, before being granted full vocational registration.
• During this provisional vocational registration period, a specialist who practises in the same area of medicine as you will supervise you.

General registration pathway

• If you do not meet the criteria for direct vocational registration, you may need to obtain general registration first if your qualifications and experience are not recognised as equivalent.
• This process to gain vocational registration includes:
  • a period of provisional general registration (with supervised practice) if necessary
  • after obtaining general registration, you can later apply for vocational registration once you have completed any further assessments or additional supervised practice required by the MCNZ.

Self-assessment

The Medical Council of New Zealand have a self-assessment tool to help you easily determine which registration pathway you should take.

Registration self assessment tool — Medical Council of New Zealandexternal link

Find out more about life in New Zealand

We have a page dedicated to providing information to candidates about our recruitment process, what you need to work in Aotearoa New Zealand and key details about moving here.

Visas and settling in New Zealand